Vaccines picked up speed but are hitting some bumps, spring fever and more spending is in the air, all of that and big stimulus is causing markets to continue to defy the pandemic, but diversification still matters. See a dynamic video showing how the top-10 stocks in the S&P 500 has changed over last 20 years (hint.. a lot!). Learn how interest rate increases can hurt bond returns. See a…
As you reach certain midlife milestones, you gain opportunities to save more money, whether through tax-deferred vehicles or identifying key expenses where you may be overpaying. Business owners also have a chance to bounce back from what may have been a slower year in 2020 with some favorable tax rules. Which of these options can you take advantage of this year? Delay tax payments Business owners who had a down…
If you’re a Gen X-er, it’s likely your life is starting to look very different than it did in your early years when you were just beginning your career and starting a family. Now you’ve made significant headway in your career, earn a higher income, and have amassed significantly more wealth. Your children may be approaching the age where they can begin driving or they’re getting ready for college. You may also have…
On election day, the narrow passage of Proposition 19 in California brought good news for some homeowners. The new law allows homeowners who are over 55, or disabled, or victims of wildfires or other disasters to transfer the tax base of their primary residence to a replacement residence. This expands on the current law which allows homeowners over 55 to retain their tax base within their own county or some reciprocal counties,…
The IRS released the dollar limits for 2021 qualified retirement plan contributions. For 2021, employees’ and owners’ ability to defer compensation and invest for their future remains about the same as 2020. Because of low inflation, most of the common contribution levels were left unchanged, with defined contribution total dollar amounts (from employee and employer contributions combined) increasing by only $1,000. Although individual contribution levels have not increased, super savers ,who focus…
What if you had the recipe of life choices that could help you live longer, healthier, and happier? That is exactly what studies show happens in “Blue Zones,” parts of the world with unusually high numbers of happy centenarians. If you don’t live in a Blue Zone, you do not have to move. You can strive to create your own Blue Dot right where you are. Read on for some of…
As we adjust to the effects of COVID-19 in our lives, stimulus package passed by Congress on March 27th may help individuals and small businesses. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as well as previously announced tax filing relief, should help with business and personal cash flows and provide economic stimulus. In addition, prior action by the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates and provide liquidity…
To help businesses survive the coronavirus economy, the government is providing support. If are in or run a small business adversely affected by the coronavirus directly or indirectly, explore the recent CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loan, Disaster Loan (& grant) Assistance, or Employee Retention Credit program. The PPP started 4/3/20 for small businesses, and 4/10/20 for sole proprietorships and independent contractors. These programs expects high application volume,…
